MATT Bloomfield’s first game as Colchester United’s head coach ended in defeat after AFC Wimbledon came from behind to win 2-1 at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

Kwesi Appiah’s first goal for the U’s against his old club had given the visitors the lead, at half-time.

But Josh Davison’s second-half brace turned the game around for the Dons and condemned Colchester to a third successive League Two defeat.

Colchester made three changes to their starting line-up, in Bloomfield's first game in charge.

Al-Amin Kazeem, Luke Hannant and former Dons player Kwesi Appiah were recalled, with Ryan Clampin, Noah Chilvers and Beryly Lubala dropping to the bench.

Colchester were looking to get off to a good start, under their new head coach.

And after a quiet opening to the contest, they made the breakthrough in the 18th minute.

Former AFC Wimbledon striker Appiah rose superbly to head powerfully in at the far post against his old club from Dan Chesters' cross to give the visitors the lead, after Cole Skuse had done well to set up the chance.

It was the first goal of the Matt Bloomfield era and Colchester’s first goal in nearly five hours of football.

It was a largely scrappy first half after that but AFC Wimbledon warmed to the task as the minutes ticked by until half-time.

The hosts began to create chances and went close nine minutes before the break when Jack Currie's low shot skidded across the U’s area and wide of the far post, after a period of pressure from the hosts.

AFC Wimbledon came closer to an equaliser two minutes later with their best effort of the half.

Paris Maghoma's effort flashed inches past the far post, after Ayoub Assal had set up the chance.

Colchester went in at the break ahead but the hosts needed less than two minutes of the second half to equalise.

Josh Davison converted from close range, after former Colchester captain Harry Pell's effort from Ethan Chislett's low cross had been blocked.

The U's responded well to the setback, forcing two corners in quick succession and causing Dons keeper Nik Tzanev problems, in the afternoon sunshine.

Colchester made a triple change just before the hour, sending on Lubala, Chilvers and Ossama Ashley for Chesters, Hannant and Matty Longstaff.

But AFC Wimbledon went ahead in the 66th minute through Davison, who scored his second of the game from the spot after Ayoub Assal had been fouled in the box by Ashley.

Colchester tried their best to find an equaliser and with nine minutes remaining, Freddie Sears' first-time effort flew straight at Tzanev, after a good knockdown by Appiah in the area.

In the seventh minute of stoppage time, Lubala was denied at point blank range by Tzanev but the U's were beaten.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: O’Hara, Tchamadeu, Chambers, Dallison, Kazeem, Skuse (sub Nouble, 90), Longstaff (sub Ashley, 59), Hannant (sub Chilvers, 59), Chesters (sub Lubala, 59), Sears (sub Akinde, 82), Appiah.

Subs (not used): Eastman, Hornby.

AFC Wimbledon: Tzanev, Gunter, Brown, Davison, Assal, Pell, Chislett, Towler, Maghoma (sub Marsh, 83), Currie, Ogundere (sub Kalambayi, 89).

Subs (not used): Hudlin, Bendle, Senior, Bartley, Jaaskelainen.

Referee: Tom Reeves.

Bookings: Colchester: Tchamadeu (foul, 31), Hannant (foul, 40), Skuse (unsporting behaviour, 90). AFC Wimbledon: Ogundere (foul, 87), Davison (unsporting behaviour, 90), Kalambayi (foul, 90), Chislett (foul, 90).

Goals: Colchester: Appiah (18). AFC Wimbledon: Davison (47, 66).

Attendance: 7,328 (593 U's fans).